FAW set to expand sin-bin use to combat abuse of referees

The FAW wants to ensure referees have a positive matchday experience

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is prepared to expand use of sin-bins to combat referee abuse in Welsh football.

Six grassroots leagues have trialled temporary dismissals to punish dissent.

Early results from the trials showed incidents dropped by more than a third.

However, the FAW also has a fresh, separate concern after reports of a 15-year-old referee being verbally abused by a manager, players and parent after a junior fixture.

It is now being investigated and the FAW says it is confident "strong action" will be taken.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey was among those to condemn the report of the incident on social media, calling it "unbelievable".

"Any abuse of referee is unfortunate and something we do not want to see among the refereeing fraternity in Wales or in any other country," said the FAW's elite match officials manager Phil Thomas, a former Uefa and Fifa referee assistant.

"It's something that has been prevalent and it's totally unacceptable within our game.

"The matter has been reported to the relevant authorities and I can assure you the FAW and the area associations take strong actions against perpetrators in regards to referee abuse and assault cases, and a strong message will be sent that such incidents will not be tolerated."

The fixture involved comes under the jurisdiction of area association the South Wales FA.

But the FAW is keen to continue what it feels are positive and proactive steps towards cleaning up the game when it comes to abuse of match officials.

Initiatives have included the introduction of yellow armbands to be worn by young referees to alert spectators that the match official is under 18 in the hope it helps to create a safer environment.

"In general it has had a very positive effect," Thomas told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"I think that's what makes this situation even more disappointing and I have no doubt that the correct action will be taken from a disciplinary perspective and from the safeguarding perspective as well."

Thomas says he hopes the young match official continues on his journey, with the FAW having targeted boosting numbers of referees in recent years.

In 2023 the association revealed details of a survey in which 88% of responding referees said they had suffered verbal abuse, prompting fears they could struggle to have enough match officials to cover games.

But an aim set in 2021 to increase referees from 900 to 1500 was met last week, with Thomas believing initiatives such as sin-bins have played a part.

"The results so far have been very pleasing," he said. "We've seen a 35% reduction in dissent aimed towards referees across the trial leagues.

"And we've also seen a 45% reduction in offensive, insulting, and abusive language directed towards referees, with that really an offset of the reduction in dissent.

"It's been really positive and a great initiative so far which hopefully we could take forward in the future.

"There are discussions that we are having with the leagues and the match officials and the relevant bodies within the FAW at present.

"So there is most definitely scope for it to expand in the future given the positive statistics we are seeing so far this season, and also the positive matchday experience for the referee it brings.

"That's going to be pivotal in retaining referees within the game because it is about that enjoyment."

While the FAW sets out its plans, football's lawmakers Ifab will announce on Friday a trial of sin-binning players and issuing blue cards.

Listen to the full interview and discussion of this issue on Radio Wales Sport, BBC Radio Wales from 19:00 GMT on Friday, 9 February.